Title: Government Weighs Support Package as Pensioners Seek Economic Stability
A Proposal for Relief
In response to ongoing economic pressures and widespread dissatisfaction among the nation’s retirees, the Iranian government and parliament are considering a proposal to allocate non-cash support packages, or “commodity baskets.” This initiative, intended to complement pension adjustments, aims to alleviate living costs for lower-income retirees by providing credit for the purchase of essential goods. However, no official announcement has yet been issued by the National Pension Fund or the Social Security Organization, leaving the plan in a preliminary, media-suggested stage.
Calls for Structural Reform
Retirees and their representatives have voiced skepticism, labeling the proposed commodity basket a temporary and insufficient measure without a fundamental structural reform of the pension payment system. They argue that such aid cannot solve the core livelihood crisis, asserting that only a fair and realistic increase in pensions can prevent what they describe as a gradual decline in their standard of living.
The political dimension of the issue was underscored by a representative from Amol, who, during a meeting with the Mazandaran House of Workers, emphasized that any official who fails to follow up on the demands of retirees would be acting against the nation’s interests.
The Demand for a “Real” Minimum Pension
Further highlighting the economic challenges, the Executive Secretary of the Mazandaran House of Workers pointed out that 25% of salary earners receive the minimum payment. He called for setting a realistic minimum pension equivalent to 24 million tomans, noting that many retirees live on an income of approximately 15 million tomans, half of which is often spent on rent alone.
A Broader Set of Challenges
Beyond immediate financial aid, retirees have outlined a series of critical demands. These include securing a substantive commodity basket, resolving issues with supplementary insurance, and providing free healthcare. An additional strain is the interruption of medical services due to unsettled claims between contract companies and the Social Security Organization, placing a heavy burden on the retiree community.
An Awaiting Decision
While the commodity basket proposal remains under review, Iran’s large retiree population continues to wait for a definitive, practical, and impactful decision from the relevant authorities—one that can provide a tangible pathway out of the current livelihood challenges.